As discussed in previous sections, the first phase of the competency development process is done at the program level, independently of courses. This course-independent structure gives greater flexibility in reviewing the integrity of the overall program, and in adapting the program to reflect changes in the industry and technology. The program learning components are used as convenient groupings of competencies organized along related skills and knowledge. However, transferring the learning components directly into a course structure would not be the most effective way to teach students. It has been shown that students learn best through activities that integrate competencies from several learning components, in particular activities that bring together technical and foundation competencies.

In order to support the learning process, modules were developed. Modules include the following elements:

• specific outcomes and competencies from several program learning components
• activities that support the learning of these competencies
• performance indicators and assessment suggestions for each activity
• a capstone project that integrates most of the module competencies

The module template gives an overview of the module elements and module organization.

Modules can be incorporated in the program in the following ways:

• as a stand-alone course
• as part of a course
• infused across several program courses

Three modules generated for the Technical Support program are included as examples. These are:

• Components of College English Composition for IT
• Technical Report Writing for IT
• Science Skills for Technical Support

In the first two modules, the module outcomes and competencies are defined independently of the Technical Support application. It is with the activities that the Information Technology context is brought into the modules. This gives flexibility in applying the module competencies to other specialty areas (not necessarily Information Technology related), by simply adapting the activities to a different field of study. The third module, on the other hand, includes two types of competencies:

• process competencies that can be easily applied to other IT clusters or other fields (this is true of the competencies in Scientific Thinking and Analysis and Scientific Documentation and Reporting)
• content competencies, which are more specifically related to the areas of science that bring important knowledge to a Technical Support Specialist (these areas are Magnetism and Computer Magnetic Storage, Electricity, Integrated Circuit Design and Testing and Data Transmission)